Swatch has joined with MSN Direct, a division of Microsoft Corp. to launch a new watch known as Paparazzi. With four new multicolored styles, Paparazzi offers wearers some exclusive entertainment information and the opportunity to meet celebrities. In addition, Paparazzi owners can access the MSN Direct service to receive personalized information, including news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes and more.

Swatch Paparazzi offers consumers the chance to meet a celebrity from the worlds of business, sports, music and film. The Swatch Meet sweepstakes runs over the next six months and is available to buyers and nonbuyers of the Swatch Paparazzi. The first celebrity meetings featured in the Swatch Meet sweepstakes include a tour of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2005 with Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates; a training session with Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis; and a visit to the set of "The OC" with star Mischa Barton.

The MSN Direct service offers Paparazzi users the ability to personalize channels of information including news, sports, weather, horoscopes, personal messages, calendar appointment reminders, stock quotes, lottery information and more. Subscribers to MSN Direct choose only the information they wish to receive on their watch by visiting the MSN Direct web site.

The Swatch Paparazzi is waterproof and comes with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and a two-year warranty. The watch retails for US$150 at some Swatch stores.